Some horse trading will help others experience joy of riding

Not being able to walk a bush trail, or take in the sights, sounds and smells of our beautiful countryside.

Now imagine being introduced to a calm old horse or pony who can take you safely on an adventure to do just that.

That is the experience offered by Riding for the Disabled groups in Hervey Bay and Maryborough to people living with intellectual disabilities or injuries, with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

Apart from sheer joy, the program has multiple physical health benefits.

But they need your help.

The Hervey Bay group has made a desperate plea for the gift, lease or loan of quiet horses or ponies.

The organisation's steady mounts are feeling their years and some - more than 30 years old - need to retire.

As you'd imagine, the group is not flush with funds.

So if you or someone you know has a horse or pony that is so calm it qualifies as "bombproof", please consider introducing it to some people who will take good care of it - and will introduce it to some other people who will just love it.